Tuesday, October 27, 2009

That really isn't the most original thought that has crossed this blogger's mind, but no doubt many more echo this sentiment. After coming out with some jump, coming back to tie the game, and coming into OT despite some mistakes, the Islanders made the biggest one of all: a change while the Canadiens were headed into their zone.

Bad move.

Before you could say "John Tavares," former Islander Roman Hamrlik had scored the game winner, and the Isles were left once again with that taste in their mouths- one of dissatisfaction and disappointment. The only bright spot? Jeff Tambellini, who tallied the only two goals for the Islanders to bring his season total to three goals- in two games. Also, Martin Biron did as well as he could while the defense fell apart. But overall, though the first few minutes of the game did look promising, and the end result was much closer than in the previous game at the Bell Centre (Saturday night), there wasn't much to be happy about.

Travis Moen and Jaroslav Spacek also had goals for the Habs. Glen Metropolit had two assists. For the Isles, Kyle Okposo, Josh Bailey and Matt Moulson had assists on the two Tambellini goals.

Digressions:

Somebody please, please, wake up Mark Streit. The poor guy was falling all over the place last night. Two or three giveaways, an overall sense of just not being "with it"- our top pointscorer last season has some 'splainin to do. Injury, perhaps? Maybe an illness? Flu bug's going around- it already hit Doug Weight, apparently, who by the way missed his third straight game.

...and from there we go to the PP, which is sorely missing its captain. Somehow, someway, Dougie has a good chance of making something happen on the man-advantage, and since he's been out of the lineup, we haven't exactly made good. On the plus side, our penalty kill is looking quite good...

...and it didn't have much opportunity to show off last night, either, to the dismay of many a Habs fan at the Bell Centre. One of their players could trip over their own stick and they'd want a penalty. Sheesh.

Anyway, I'll be missing the Isles-Rangers game on Wednesday, to my intense displeasure (freakin' NHL schedule and putting big games on Wednesday nights! Grr!) so feel free to fill me in. Thanks!